Method for playing a football-based bean bag tossing game

ABSTRACT

Cornhole games have been a mainstay during tailgating events at football games across the United States. However, the traditional cornhole game offers little challenge as the board has but one target opening and scoring is limited. Further, the traditional cornhole game has no real connection to the game of football; it does not present a representation of the field of play and does not apply the rules of football. The purpose of this invention is to create a method of play for a bean bag tossing game that is based on the game of football and incorporates the rules and strategies of the game of football. 
     In an effort to create such a football-based bean bag tossing game, the game should incorporate the concepts of kickoffs, including onside kickoffs, punts, including fake punts, driving down the field by gaining yardage, the ability to kick a field goal or score a touchdown when in scoring position, the loss of yardage through application of penalties, the loss of possession through the application of turnovers, the possibility of scoring a touchdown after an opponent&#39;s turnover, the ability to attempt a last-chance Hail Mary touchdown, and the option to try for a 2-point conversion after a touchdown is scored. The game should also provide the player with an opportunity to use strategy when deciding what plays to make. With this football-based bean bag toss game, all of the main elements of the game of football listed above are incorporated and the game plays out similarly to a real game of football.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Provisional Patent Application No. 62/387,030, filed Dec. 21, 2015; Applicant: Mark Wolters; Title: Ultra-toss bean bag tossing game.

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Design patent application Ser. No. 29/581,399, filed Oct. 18, 2016; Applicant: Mark Wolters; Title: Football-based bean bag tossing game playing surface.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cornhole games have been a mainstay during tailgating events at football games across the United States. However, the traditional cornhole game offers little challenge as the board has but one target opening and scoring is limited. Further, the traditional cornhole game has no real connection to the game of football; it does not present a representation of the field of play and does not apply the rules of football. The purpose of this invention is to create a method of play for a bean bag tossing game that is based on the game of football and incorporates the rules and strategies of the game of football.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an effort to create a football-based bean bag tossing game, the game must incorporate the concepts of kickoffs, including onside kickoffs, punts, including fake punts, driving down the field by gaining yardage, the ability to kick a field goal or score a touchdown when in scoring position, the loss of yardage through application of penalties, the loss of possession through the application of turnovers, the possibility of scoring a touchdown after an opponent's turnover, the ability to attempt a long-shot Hail Mary touchdown, and the option to try for a 2-point conversion after a touchdown is scored. The game should also provide the player with an opportunity to use strategy when deciding what plays to make. With this football-based bean bag toss game, all of the main elements of the game of football listed above are incorporated and the game plays out similarly to a real game of football.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a sample playing surface, used to assist in the description of the method. The sample playing surface does not form any part of this method patent application and is included for illustrative purposes only.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a method of play for a football-based bean bag toss game. The object of the method is to score points through the accumulation of yards to get into position to score touchdowns and field goals, while avoiding penalties and turnovers.

The method is intended to be applied to a planar playing surface with a plurality of openings through the surface to allow passage of a tossed bean bag.

Any reference to a bean bag also includes a ball.

The openings in the playing surface should provide targets for scoring field goals, touchdowns, 2-point conversions, and a Hail Mary (or last chance) touchdown, for accumulating yardage to drive down the field, for penalizing players with a penalty or turnover, for scoring a touchdown after a turnover, and for kicking kickoffs, onside kickoffs, punts and fake punts.

The playing surface may have the following openings:

a. A plurality of openings (1) for scoring yardage (“Yardage Target”);

b. A plurality of openings (2) for scoring a penalty (“Penalty Target”);

c. A plurality of openings (3) for scoring a turnover (“Turnover Target”).

d. An opening (4) for scoring touchdowns, field goals and 2-point conversions, for scoring kickoffs and punts, and for scoring yardage (“Scoring Target”);

e. An opening (5) for scoring onside kicks (“Onside Kick Target”);

f. An opening (6) for scoring fake punts (“Fake Punt Target”);

g. An opening (7) for scoring a touchdown after the turnover after an opponent's turnover (“Pick 6 Target”);

h. An opening (8) for scoring a Hail Mary touchdown (“Hail Mary Target”).

A sample playing surface, for illustrative purposes only, is attached to this application as FIG. 1.

The game is typically played between two players, though if there are more than two players, the players can be divided into teams. Once teams or players have been determined, a coin toss determines the starting player/team. The winner of the coin toss may elect the starting player who shall commence the game by scoring a kickoff or onside kick to determine initial possession and field position.

To score a kickoff, the player has one opportunity to toss a bean bag through the Scoring Target (4). If the toss is successful, the opposing player begins his next turn. If the toss is unsuccessful, the opposing player begins his next turn with a 20-yard bonus.

In lieu of a kickoff, a player may attempt an onside kick. In order to score an onside kick, a player has one opportunity to toss a bean bag through the Onside Kick Target (5). If the toss is successful, the player tossing the onside kick retains possession and starts a new turn. If the toss is unsuccessful, the opposing player begins his next turn with a 20-yard bonus.

During their turn to play, players must accumulate yardage by tossing bean bags through Yardage Targets (1), which award a player with a variety of yardage distances.

In order to get into the “Red Zone” to attempt a touchdown, a player must accumulate at least 80 yards in one turn and have at least one bean bag remaining. He then has as many opportunities as bean bags remaining to try to score a touchdown by tossing a bean bag through the Scoring Target (4).

If the player successfully scores a touchdown, he is awarded seven points or he may elect to attempt a 2-point conversion. If the touchdown attempt is unsuccessful, the opposing player begins his next turn.

In order to get into field goal range to attempt a field goal, a player must accumulate at least 40 yards in one turn and have at least one bean bag remaining. He then has only one opportunity to try to score a field goal by tossing a bean bag through the Scoring Target (4), regardless of the number of bean bags remaining.

Where a player successfully scores a field goal, he is awarded three points. If the field goal attempt is unsuccessful, the opposing player begins his next turn.

If a player fails to accumulate at least 40 yards in one turn with at least one bean bag remaining, he must punt, or he may try for a fake a punt or a Hail Mary touchdown.

In order to score a punt, a player has one opportunity to toss a bean bag through the Scoring Target (4). If the punt is successful, the opposing player starts his next turn. If the punt is unsuccessful, the opposing player starts his turn with a 20-yard bonus.

In lieu of a punt, a player may attempt a fake punt. In order to score a fake punt, a player has one opportunity to toss a bean bag through the Fake Punt Target (6). If the fake punt is successful, the player tossing the fake punt continues his turn with a new set of bean bags and all of the accumulated yards gained on that turn prior to the fake punt. If the toss is unsuccessful, the opposing player begins his next turn with a 20-yard bonus.

In lieu of a punt or fake punt, a player may attempt a Hail Mary touchdown. In order to score a Hail Mary touchdown, a player must toss his last remaining bean bag through the Hail Mary Target (8). If the toss is successful, the player who tossed the Hail Mary touchdown has scored a touchdown; he is awarded seven points or he may elect to attempt a 2-point conversion. If the toss is unsuccessful, the opposing player starts his next turn with a 20-yard bonus.

If a player scores a Penalty Target (2), the yardage indicated is deducted from any accumulated yardage on that turn.

If a player scores a Turnover Target (3), the opposing player may attempt to score a turnover touchdown or to try to accumulate yardage to be applied to his next turn.

If a player elects to attempt a turnover touchdown, he has one opportunity to toss a bean bag through the Pick 6 Target (7). If the toss is successful, the player has scored a touchdown; he is awarded seven points or he may elect to attempt a 2-point conversion. If the toss is unsuccessful, the player begins his next turn.

If, immediately after a turnover, an opposing player scores any Yardage Target (1), the yardage scored is applied to the yards accumulated for his next turn. If the opposing player scores a Penalty Target (2), the penalty yards are deducted from the yards accumulated on his next turn. If the opposing player scores a Turnover Target (3), the play reverts back to the player who originally scored a turnover, who may then attempt a turnover touchdown or try to accumulate yardage for his next turn.

After any touchdown, a player may elect to attempt a 2-point conversion. If the player does not elect to attempt a 2-point conversion, he is awarded seven points for the touchdown. If the player elects to attempt a 2-point conversion, he has one opportunity to toss a bean bag through the Scoring Target (4). If the toss is successful, the player is awarded 8 points for the touchdown. If the toss is unsuccessful, the player is only awarded 6 points for the touchdown.

If a player scores a touchdown or field goal, he must attempt a kickoff or onside kick prior to the beginning of the opposing player's turn to determine the opposing player's starting field position.

When the Scoring Target (4), Onside Kick Target (5), Fake Punt Target (6), Pick 6 Target (7) or Hail Mary Target (8) are inactive, they may be assigned a positive yardage value and act as a Yardage Target (1).

Game play may be divided into quarters, with each player entitled to two possessions per quarter. The winner is the player who has amassed the most points. If the players/teams are tied after regulation play, play continues with each player/team getting one additional possession until the game is won.

Alternatively, game play may be based on a set point total, with the winner being the player whose total points meets or exceeds the set point total.

SEQUENCE LISTING

Not Applicable. 

1. A method for playing a tossing game based on the sport of football, where the object of the method is to score points by accumulating yards to get into position to score touchdowns and field goals, while avoiding penalties and turnovers. The method of claim 1, where the tossing game is played with a planar playing surface with markings commonly found on a football field and with appropriate openings there-through, such openings having been designated as targets with positive or negative values based on the events and activities that take place in the game of football, comprising, at a minimum: a. Openings (1) designated as Yardage Targets; b. Openings (2) designated as Penalty Targets; c. Openings (3) designated as Turnover Targets; d. An opening (4) designated as a Scoring Target; e. An opening (5) designated as an Onside Kick Target; f. An opening (6) designated as a Fake Punt Target; g. An opening (7) designated as a Pick 6 Target; and h. An opening (8) designated as a Hail Mary Target. The method of claim 1, where players stand a defined distance from the playing surface and attempt to toss projectiles through the openings in the playing surface. The method of claim 1, where the projectiles tossed are preferably bean bags, but may be balls or other similar items capable of being tossed through the openings in the playing surface. The method of claim 1, where a plurality of projectiles may be used for each turn. The method of claim 1, where the method comprises the following: a. Steps to kickoff; b. Steps to score an onside kick in lieu of a kickoff; c. Steps to accumulate yards and move downfield to get into scoring position; d. Steps to score field goals; e. Steps to score touchdowns; f. Steps to score 2-point conversions; g. Steps to score a touchdown after an opponent's turnover; h. Steps to score a punt; i. Steps to score a fake punt in lieu of a punt; j. Steps to score a “Hail Mary” touchdown in lieu of a punt or fake punt; and k. Steps to complete a game by number of quarters; and I. Steps to complete a game by set number of points. The method of claim 1, where the steps to score a kickoff comprise the following: a. The player starting the game, and thereafter any player who has scored any touchdown or field goal, must attempt a kickoff prior to the start of the opposing player's turn; b. To score a kickoff, the player has one opportunity to toss a projectile through an opening designated as a Scoring Target (4); c. If the toss is successful, the opposing player begins his next turn; d. If the toss is unsuccessful, the opposing player begins his turn with a 20-yard bonus; and e. In lieu of a kickoff, a player may elect to attempt an onside kick. The method of claim 1, where the steps to score an onside kick comprise the following: a. To score an onside kick, the player has one opportunity to toss a projectile through an opening designated as a Onside Kick Target (5); b. The Onside Kick Target (5) is active only during a kickoff; c. If the onside kick is successful, the player attempting the onside kick retains possession and starts his next turn; and d. If the onside kick is unsuccessful, the opposing player begins his turn with a 20-yard bonus. The method of claim 1, where the steps to accumulate yards and drive downfield to get into scoring position comprise the following: a. A player attempts to toss projectiles through the openings in the playing surface designated as Yardage Targets (1); b. Where a player successfully tosses a projectile through a Yardage Target (1) with a positive yardage value, the player adds that yardage to his total yardage accumulated on that turn; c. Where a player tosses a projectile through an opening designated as a Penalty Target (2) with a negative yardage value, the player subtracts that yardage from his total yardage accumulated on that turn; d. Where a player successfully accumulates at least 80 yards in one turn, with at least one projectile remaining, he is in position to score a touchdown and may attempt to score a touchdown; e. Where a player successfully accumulates at least 40 yards in one turn, with at least one projectile remaining, he is in position to score a field goal and may attempt to score a field goal; and f. Where a player fails to accumulate at least 40 yards in one turn, with at least one projectile remaining, he is out of scoring range and with his last projectile he may only attempt a punt, a fake punt, or a Hail Mary touchdown. The method of claim 1, where the steps to score a field goal comprise the following: a. Where a player has successfully accumulated at least 40 yards in one turn with at least one projectile remaining, he may attempt to score a field goal by tossing a projectile through an opening designated as a Scoring Target (4); b. The Scoring Target (4) is active to score a field goal only where a player has successfully accumulated 40 yards in one turn; c. A player may make only one attempt for a field goal, regardless of the number of projectiles remaining; d. If a player successfully scores a field goal, he is awarded three points and then attempts a kickoff or onside kick before the opposing player begins his next turn; and e. If a player is unsuccessful in scoring a field goal, the opposing player begins his next turn. The method of claim 1, where the steps to score a touchdown comprise the following: a. Where a player has successfully accumulated at least 80 yards in one turn with at least one projectile remaining, he may attempt to score a touchdown by tossing a projectile through an opening designated as a Scoring Target (4); b. The Scoring Target (4) is active to score a touchdown only where a player has successfully accumulated 80 yards in one turn; c. A player may make as many attempts as he has projectiles remaining, but can only score one touchdown in any turn; d. If a player successfully scores a touchdown, he is awarded seven points or he may elect to attempt a 2-point conversion; e. If the player elects to take seven points, the scoring player then attempts a kickoff or onside kick before the opposing player begins his next turn; f. If the player elects to attempt a 2-point conversion, that attempt is made by the player immediately after having scored the touchdown; and g. If the player is unsuccessful in scoring a touchdown, the opposing player begins his next turn. The method of claim 1, where the steps to score a 2-point conversion comprise the following: a. A player has one opportunity, after scoring a touchdown and electing to attempt a 2-point conversion, to toss a projectile through the opening designated as a Scoring Target (4); b. The Scoring Target (4) is active to score a 2-point conversion only where a player has successfully scored a touchdown; c. If the player successfully scores the 2-point conversion, he is awarded a total of eight points for the touchdown; d. If the player is unsuccessful, he is awarded a total of six points for the touchdown; and e. Once the player has attempted the 2-point conversion, successful or not, that player then attempts a kickoff or onside kick before the opposing player begins his next turn. The method of claim 1, where the steps to score a punt comprise the following: a. Where a player has only one projectile remaining and has failed to accumulate at least 40 yards, the player may attempt a punt; b. To score a punt, the player the player has one opportunity to toss his last projectile through an opening designated as a Scoring Target (4); c. The Scoring Target (4) is active to score a punt only where a player has only one projectile remaining and has accumulated less than 40 yards in one turn; d. If the toss is successful, the opposing player begins his next turn; e. If the toss is unsuccessful, the opposing player begins his turn with a 20-yard bonus; f. In lieu of a punt, a player may elect to try for a fake punt or a Hail Mary touchdown. The method of claim 1, where the steps to score a fake punt comprise the following: a. To score a fake punt, the player has one opportunity to toss his last projectile through an opening designated as a Fake Punt Target (6); b. The Fake Punt Target (6) is active only for a player's last projectile; c. If the fake punt is successful, the player scoring the fake punt retains possession and begins a new turn with all of the accumulated yards gained on his prior turn; d. If the fake punt is unsuccessful, the opposing player begins his turn with a 20-yard bonus. The method of claim 1, where the steps to score a Hail Mary touchdown comprise the following: a. To score a Hail Mary touchdown, the player has one opportunity to toss his last projectile through an opening designated as the Hail Mary Target (8); b. The Hail Mary Target (8) is active only for a player's last projectile; c. If the Hail Mary touchdown is successful, the player who scores the Hail Mary touchdown is awarded 7 points or may elect to attempt a 2-point conversion; d. If the Hail Mary touchdown is unsuccessful, the opposing player begins his turn with a 20-yard bonus. The method of claim 1, where the steps to score a touchdown after the turnover comprise the following: a. Where a player tosses a projectile through an opening designated as a Turnover Target (3), the opposing player may immediately thereafter attempt a touchdown after the turnover or try to accumulate yardage for his next turn; b. To score a touchdown after the turnover, the opposing player has one opportunity to toss a projectile through an opening designated as a Pick 6 Target (7); c. The Pick 6 Target (7) is active only immediately after an opposing player's turnover; d. If the opposing player successfully scores a touchdown after the turnover, he is awarded seven points or he may elect to attempt a 2-point conversion; e. If the opposing player is unsuccessful in scoring a touchdown after the turnover, he then begins his new turn; f. If, after a player has scored a turnover, the opposing player, in attempting to score a touchdown after the turnover, tosses the projectile through an opening designated as a Yardage Target (1), that yardage is added to the opposing player's accumulated yardage on his next turn; g. If, after a player has scored a turnover, the opposing player, in attempting to score a turnover touchdown, tosses the projectile through an opening designated as a Penalty Target (2), that yardage is deducted from that player's accumulated yardage on his next turn; h. If, after a player has scored a turnover, the opposing player, in attempting to score a turnover touchdown, tosses the projectile through an opening designated as a Turnover Target (3), the player who scored the initial turnover then has an opportunity to score a turnover touchdown or to accumulate yardage for his next turn. The method of claim 1, where when the Scoring Target (4), Onside Kick Target (5), Fake Punt Target (6), Pick 6 Target (7) and Hail Mary Target (8) are inactive, they may be assigned a positive yardage value and act as a Yardage Target (1). The method of claim 1, where the steps to complete a game based on the number of plays comprise the following: a. A complete game is divided into four quarters; b. Players alternate play regarding possession of the ball; c. Each player has two possession opportunities per quarter, subject to turnovers; d. A complete game is played when four quarters have been played; e. The winner of the game is the player who has accumulated the most points in a complete game; f. Where the players are tied after a complete game, each player is awarded one additional possession until one player breaks the tie; and g. Where the players play additional possessions, for any touchdown scored after the second additional possession, the player must attempt a 2-point conversion. The method of claim 1, where the steps to complete a game based on a set point total comprise the following: a. Players agree on a set point total prior to the start of the game; and b. A complete game is played when one player has accumulated enough points to meet or exceed the set point total. 